8 THE PRACTICAL HORSE KEEPER. 



and fine, without being coarse or puffy ; the point of the hock 

 ought to be prominent, and the leg below it incline very 

 slightly under the body, but it should not be too perpendicular, 

 nor deviate laterally from the perpendicular, or, in other words, 

 it should not be " wide behind," or " cow-hocked." Those parts 

 below the hocks may be compared with the description of 

 those below the knee. With regard to the tail, this should 

 pass in a straight line from the croup, and then droop in a 

 graceful curve. 



Such is the description of the roadster, and it is applicable 

 more or less to the hunter and the troop horse, when these 

 make any approach towards perfection. 



The price of a good roadster will vary with his shape, size, 

 and qualities, and may extend from thirty or forty pounds to 

 eighty or a hundred pounds, but for a useful animal probably 

 the mean between the two extremes is sufficient. 



The cover or covert hack differs but little from the roadster 

 except in height, which is from fourteen to fifteen hands high ; 

 and he should be capable of carrying his rider at a trot at the 

 rate of twelve or thirteen miles an hour, canter fifteen or six- 

 teen miles an hour, or gallop twenty ; he should also be nimble 

 enough to jump a ditch, a fallen tree, or a low fence. His 

 pace should be easy and elastic, his walk free and true, with- 

 out any tendency to tripping or stumbling in front, or knuck- 

 ling-over behind. Such an animal must be well-shaped, and it 

 must be confessed that a perfect covert hack is nowadays far 

 more difficult to procure than a perfect hunter ; but there are 

 many which, though far from perfect, yet do most excellent 

 service. 



For light-weight carrying, that is, for anything under four- 

 teen stone, such a hack may be nearly, if not quite thorough- 

 bred ; but if to carry a heavier weight, then he must be a 

 stout cob. 



The price of a covert hack will depend upon quality, size, 



